Cleveland emerged from its first conference-final appearance in eight years with a clear signal from president of basketball operations Koby Altman: the franchise will not embark on a rebuild but will instead aim for a deeper playoff run in the upcoming season. Altman has identified three priority areas , securing a long-term max contract for Donovan Mitchell, reshaping a roster weighed down by luxury-tax penalties, and accelerating Evan Mobley’s offensive development , as the metrics by which his performance will be judged.

Mitchell enters the next campaign with a single year remaining on his current deal and has indicated a desire for a maximum-value extension. Locking the All-Star in Cleveland for the prime of his career would eliminate the free-agency uncertainty that still haunts the franchise from the early LeBron era. A swift agreement would also calm a fan base that has been anxious about the potential loss of its marquee player.

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The Cavs sit in the second apron of the luxury-tax threshold, a position that severely restricts their ability to absorb additional salaries or leverage high-draft picks in upcoming drafts. To preserve flexibility, Altman must look for cost-saving moves. Convincing James Harden to decline his player option and sign a cheaper, front-loaded contract would reduce the tax burden, while trading guard Dennis Schroder for future picks would free up a modest salary slot and add draft capital without compromising depth.

Evan Mobley, now 24, remains under contract through the 2029-30 season. While his defensive versatility is already elite, the next step in his evolution is to expand his offensive arsenal. Working with coach Kenny Atkinson on his jump shot and mid-range game could transform Mobley into a reliable secondary scorer, ready to shoulder the load if Mitchell were to miss time or depart.

Altman’s track record of preserving the core while trimming expendable pieces demonstrates his ability to navigate cap constraints. By securing Mitchell, trimming the payroll, and fostering Mobley’s growth, the Cavaliers can head into training camp with a locked-in star, a more manageable salary structure, and a clearer offensive path , the ingredients that would merit an A+ grade for Altman this offseason.